Acts 20 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 20.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/20/1/s_1038001

Meditate on verse 28.

 

Be on guard for yourselves and

 for all the flock, among

 which the Holy Spirit has

made you overseers, to shepherd

the church of God which He

purchased with His own blood.

 

Such a powerful command from God to everyone who serves in a faith community! 

 

“Be on guard; therefore, be on the alert” (vs. 28, 31).  Be on guard for yourself, staying strong in the LORD, not surrendering to false teaching, so you can protect the flock from “savage wolves,” false teachers, speaking perverse things contrary to the Word of God (vs. 29-20).

 

Be on guard for ALL the flock (v. 28).  There is no exception for “all.”  Everyone in the flock needs to be protected.

 

“Among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” (v. 28)—this is a vital phrase for church life—the Holy Spirit gifts people, choosing who serves in which positions within a congregation.  Therefore, a congregation must pray, asking the Holy Spirit who He wants serving in His ministries. 

 

The purpose of an overseer is to “shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (v. 28).  The LORD invests in us the great responsibility of caring for His

treasure, the church of God.  Thankfully, He does not make us do this on our own.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit participate with us in the family business of caring for the flock.

 

Pray Acts 20:28 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, help ______ and me be on guard for ourselves and

for all the flock.  Thank You, Holy Spirit, for making us overseers.

Help us shepherd the church of God, which

 You purchased with Your own blood.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell